Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 894: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will address the issues described in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to a Garda vetting request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34014/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Until December 2005, the Garda Síochána operated reciprocal vetting arrangements between Ireland and Britain, whereby vetting requests on behalf of registered recruiting organisations in the two jurisdictions were channelled through the Dublin and London Interpol Offices. However, in December 2005, the London Interpol Office, operated by the London Metropolitan Police, introduced significant processing changes in its dealing with all other countries which, unfortunately, had the practical effect of ending the reciprocal vetting arrangements.

Since 2006, my Department, in conjunction with the Garda Síochána, has been actively seeking to enter into reciprocal vetting agreements with the organisations responsible for criminal history vetting in Britain, namely, the Criminal Records Bureau in respect of England and Wales and Disclosure Scotland in respect of Scotland. In particular, draft agreements have been submitted to these organisations for their consideration. Subject to the consent of these organisations, it is hoped that these vetting agreements would allow registered recruiting organisations in both jurisdictions to vet persons who are nationals of or who have lived in the other's jurisdiction, via the established vetting organisations of both jurisdictions.